Southern Qi Fenghua Record

There is an unwritten rule in the Yue State Mansion, that is, the whole family must have dinner together every day.Breakfast is not so particular, it is either prepared from the big kitchen, or the respective small kitchens are prepared by themselves.In the past, when Erfang Xiahoutan’s family was still in the capital, there were often two tables for dinner, one for adults and one for children.Ever since Erfang's family followed Xia Houtan to Jinfengcheng to take office, the family has become extremely cold, and the rest of the family can't even sit at a table.

On weekdays, Xia Houyuan goes out early and returns late every day. After the morning court, he either goes to work in the government office or goes to the camp in the western suburbs for military training. Only on holidays will he stay at home with his wife or discuss practical economic strategies with his staff; Zhong Yuqing has to work hard every day It's rare to be free in matters big and small; Mrs. Guo is not busy with Xia Houling's studies, food, clothing, housing and transportation all day long, or she shuts herself in a small Buddhist hall to chant scriptures; Moreover, since he found out about the poisonous flowers, he suddenly became busy, and he often couldn't see anyone, and he often missed dinner.

Xia Houshu had developed the habit of waking up early and doing morning exercises when he was in Boyunguan. After setting foot in Changqingmen these few years, he didn't dare to be lazy.If the weather is good, you can exercise your fists and feet in the yard. If it is rainy or snowy, you can stretch your legs and practice your waist on the porch.

The weather was fine that day, and Xia Houshu got up early to practice a set of boxing as usual.As soon as it was over, Yunxi hurried over and handed over a clean towel.She took it and wiped the sweat from her forehead, and asked, "Did the second brother come back last night?"

Yunxi shook her head and said: "I went there early in the morning to inquire, and Sister Xieying said that Prince Gong sent someone to invite the Second Young Master to discuss matters at noon yesterday, and later sent someone to say that the Second Young Master stayed at Prince Gong's Mansion at night. When I came back, I didn't see the Second Young Master."

"It shouldn't be." Xia Houshu murmured, "Ever since the third cousin had a quarrel last time, Second Brother rarely went to Prince Gong's Mansion, and he only went there once in a while, and it was only in Uncle's big study, why did he suddenly stay overnight? What about it?" At this point, she thought of Zhong Lufu's marriage again, and asked, "Is there any clue about the third cousin's marriage?"

Hearing her ask this, Yunxi immediately showed her "knowledge" ability.But a woman's marriage is a private matter, and one cannot talk about it casually before it is settled. Even in Qingfengzhai, Yunxi is still very cautious.She deliberately lowered her voice, and said: "A few days ago, Princess Gong came to see the princess and brought some gifts for the young master and you in the mansion. I followed to get them, and I heard Qin Qin who was next to the princess talking to sister Qingfang and the others. Complaining, it is said that in the past two months, the concubine has seen seven or eight candidates one after another, and before making a decision for Prince Gong, Aunt Zhu started crying again. Miss Zhong San also refused to eat or drink, and let Someone spread the word that she would rather die than find someone to marry. Concubine Gong was so angry that she was sick for several days, but she couldn't really ignore it, so she came to talk to the princess to get some air."

Xia Houshu sneered after hearing this, and said: "This Aunt Zhu is really capable. She never counts what she said, and often contradicts her promises to embarrass her aunt. I don't know what my uncle saw in her at the beginning. Speaking of which, my aunt It's really magnanimous. For so many years, she has been allowed to cry, make trouble and hang herself, without any decent punishment. If it were a powerful mistress, how could she make trouble? It is our family, second uncle Those aunts who gave birth to sons, I have never seen them dare to make such a fuss."

Yunxi repeatedly nodded in agreement, and couldn't help continuing to gossip, saying: "I also heard from Nanny Qin that Aunt Zhu was born beautiful since she was a child, and she is recognized as a beauty in all directions, but the Zhu family is very poor. Her elder brother got married and was going to sell her in exchange for a dowry. At that time, Princess Gong wanted to give Prince Gong some good concubines, so she asked a matchmaker to ask her, and then she was brought into the mansion. Princess Gong was kind and wanted Seeing that she had a hard life before, she not only gave rewards many times, but also tried every means to introduce her to Prince Gong, and later Miss Zhong San was born. How can I imagine that Aunt Zhu did not know what is good or bad, and always opposed Princess Gong, making troubles Princess Gong is not human inside."

Xia Houshu became even angrier when he heard this, and felt sorry for Princess Gong, but after all, this was a matter of the Zhong family, and her mother didn't care about it, so why should she intervene, she simply pretended not to know.

She handed the used towel to Yunxi, and said: "Yuhu came back yesterday. I saw that she has become very thin and her eye sockets are deep. Let her rest first, and let the things in the house go." Let it go. Later you go to the warehouse to get two taels of bird’s nest, let the small kitchen stew it and send it to her, talk to her more, enlighten her.” She sighed at this point, “I thought her mother was just sick. When it got a little more serious, someone even brought medicinal herbs to her, but she never got sick and passed away."

"The girl is really kind, so I'll thank the girl for Yuhu first." Yunxi said, "But she is not a person who can be idle. When we came back yesterday, let us hand over the account book in the house to her for verification. I went to check the warehouse again this morning, because I was afraid that during her absence, the little maids would be careless and not take care of the house for the girl."

The master and servant walked towards the main room while talking, and before they got close, they heard a noise coming from the room, and both of them stopped.

Qingfeng Pavilion is Xia Houshu's residence, except for herself, no one would dare to make noise and make trouble in her room.Yunxi immediately stepped forward to find out the reason.

Xia Houshu didn't stay any longer, but followed slowly.

In the main room, there were three or four little maids standing close to Xia Houshu, all of them were red-eyed. The maid who was arguing louder earlier was silenced by Yunxi, only Cuiyan was still sobbing softly. with.Yuhu stood between them angrily, presumably he had just reprimanded them.

"What happened?" Xia Houshu glanced at everyone, but found no outsiders. He was sure that there was a conflict between the maids in his room, so Fang continued, "What are you all arguing about so early in the morning? Thanks to our room." Otherwise, people from other yards will be recruited by you."

"Miss, you came back just in time." Yuhu met Xia Houshu and immediately explained the reason, "When I asked for leave a month ago, I gave Cuiyan all the ledgers and warehouse keys in our house. All the accounts are clear. Everything is available. But I reconciled the account overnight last night, and found that there is 100 taels of silver in the ledger. No matter how I calculate it, it is correct. I asked Cuiyan, and she said that it was the girl who took it away. I counted the warehouse again, and there was no Seeing that there are additional items, there is a piece of mutton fat jade pendant missing. I remember that piece of mutton fat jade pendant was given to the girl by Prince Gong in the past. It is of excellent quality and worth a lot of silver."

Xia Houshu secretly admired Yuhu's memory and the housekeeper's ability to settle accounts, and it was right to give her his money box.

"Girl!" Seeing Xia Houshu's unimportant look, Yuhu immediately raised his voice, "I know that girls are always generous in money, and they don't know how much they get in and out, but 100 taels is not a small thing. The number, even if it is brought to the yamen, it is a big case and needs to be sentenced. I suspect that the hands and feet of the people in the house are not clean, or someone secretly embezzled it, so I called them in for questioning."

After hearing this explanation, Xia Houshu's face became a little uneasy.What do you mean she has no idea?She just felt that since these things were in charge of them, she would be lazy and spend her mind and energy on other things.However, the 100 taels of silver that Yuhu struggled with was indeed spent by herself, and she couldn't let the little maids take the blame.She cleared her throat and said, "Cuiyan is right. I did spend the 100 taels of silver. I didn't buy anything worthwhile, so you couldn't find it if you didn't list it. As for the suet I asked Yunxi to find out the jade pendant and use it before." Then he looked at Yunxi, "Go find the jade pendant and show it to Yuhu."

Since the jade pendant was carved in the shape of a peony flower, Xia Houshu was worried that someone with a heart would see it and cause trouble, so he gave it to Yunxi for safekeeping.

After hearing this, Yunxi hurried to the ear room and found the suet jade pendant from her cabinet, and offered it with both hands.

Yuhu took a closer look at the peony flower jade plaque that was no longer what it was before, and returned it to Yunxi in doubt, and said: "Since the girl asked me to manage the money and silver in the house, that is her trust in me. I absolutely dare not neglect and let you down. Even if the girl withdrew the 100 taels herself, she would have to make an excuse, otherwise I will not be able to deal with it when I ask about it in the future."

From Xia Houshu, it can be said that she took the money to clear up the relationship, part of it was exchanged for gold to bribe the couple surnamed Qiu to help, and the other part was used to manage the person who gave her information about Yi Wu.In the face of Yuhu's earnest and unselfish inquiry and persuasion, she should not slap her in the face, let alone encourage unhealthy tendencies just because she is inconvenient to disclose the real reason, lest the people in her yard follow suit and break the rules in the future , I had to say: "You are right, there must be a reason for the entry and exit of silver taels. But the 100 taels of silver was indeed spent by me, and it was used to do good deeds. Since it is doing good deeds, it is not good to make a big fanfare. This matter It turned out that I didn't think it through. Now that you have asked, I have nothing to hide."

The Yue government often set up tents to give porridge, or donated to charity halls, or helped poor tenants on the farm.When Zhong Yuqing went to the temple, any donation of sesame oil would cost at least 500 taels of silver, so Xia Houshu's 100 taels of silver didn't seem so important.

Yuhu figured this out very quickly, but what needs to be solved urgently now is not the whereabouts of the 100 taels of silver, but the little maids in the room who have been suspected and scolded for no reason.They all looked at Yuhu aggrievedly, expecting her to give an explanation.

"this matter……"

"Yuhu did a good job on this matter." Xia Houshu took her words before Yuhu apologized, glanced at the little maids, and said solemnly, "Yuhu is in charge of the gold and silver in my yard. Wealth, with heavy responsibilities, naturally we must be cautious. Since I manage the accounts for me, I have to carefully register every entry and exit. Even if I spend the money myself, I have to say the amount and the reason. You should all Learn from her well. As long as it is towards me and good for me, I will definitely not treat you badly."

The little maids were full of grievances, but they all answered "yes" with lowered eyebrows.

But Yuhu felt very uncomfortable. After all, she never thought that her preconceived ideas and misjudgments would ruin everyone's friendship and mutual trust.

Xia Houshu chose Yuhu to take care of her accounts at the beginning because she liked her seriousness and meticulousness in doing things and distinguishing between public and private. Now that she has offended the other little maids in the house, she is afraid that it will spread the reputation of being mean and slandering others, and thinking of her again Having just experienced the pain of losing her mother, I really can't bear to face it alone,

"Today, Yuhu was in a hurry, so I wrongly blamed everyone and made everyone feel wronged. Now that I know, I'm here to give everyone justice." Xia Houshu winked at Yunxi as he spoke, "Turn back, each of you Go to Yunxi to get [-] copper coins, you can eat or drink, and I will make amends for Yuhu."

"girl……"

"girl……"

Yuhu and Yunxi spoke at the same time.Yuhu felt guilty.Yunxi felt too surprised.

There are fixed numbers of servants and maids in the mansion.First-class maids earn fifteen hundred wen a month, second-class maids earn one thousand wen, third-class maids and rough envoys both have five hundred wen.And Xia Houshu is one hundred coins every time he makes a move, I'm afraid it will break the rules.

Xia Houshu waved his hand, and said generously: "You all do things for me. I said that I will not treat you badly, so I have to follow through. Now that this matter has been said, don't take it to heart in the future, and just pretend it didn't happen. Pass."

The little maids will be wronged when they are wronged, but how can a maid not be wronged, and Xia Houshu is so generous, how could they have trouble with Yin Zi?Anyone who dares to be stubborn at this time will be regarded as a villain who blocks other people's money.

The little maids happily followed Yunxi to collect the money, and only Xia Houshu and Yuhu were left in the room.

"Girl, I..." Yuhu's eyes turned red before he could speak.

"You don't need to say much." Xia Houshu interrupted her, "I know you are not a bullying person. Brother, please settle the accounts clearly, let alone you are managing the accounts for me. Listen to me, today's affairs Just let it go, and we won't talk about it in the future."

Yuhu nodded gratefully and said, "More girls are tolerant."

Xia Houshu clicked his tongue, and said: "Account management is a good hand, why are you so stupid now? This matter was originally caused by my lack of thoughtfulness, so don't take the responsibility on yourself. And your mother's You also want to open something up. Although she is gone, as long as you still think about her in your heart, she will always be there. Also, don't bother with reconciliation these days, take care of your body quickly. Although the yard is not big, it's not too small either, if you fall ill again, where can I find such a serious and responsible female accountant like you?"

After hearing this, Yuhu couldn't help but burst out laughing.